Chapter 33
D - Day
DISCLAIMER: This story is based on characters and situations created and owned by JK Rowling, various publishers including but not limited to Bloomsbury Books, Scholastic Books and Raincoast Books, and Warner Bros., Inc. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended.
A/N: ::sighs:: Just a little disappointed no one agreed with the naked Spike and Angel …. ::Wicked grin:: Ah well, more for me then ….
Chaos reigned in the Black Lineage Cabin. Between getting Harry packed for school, and Remus and Mikhail packed for Hogsmeade, the cabin was a complete disaster. Harry smiled wryly. It reminded him a bit of the chaos of the Weasley family getting ready to leave for Hogwarts. He missed all of them, especially Ron and Hermione. It had been too long since he had seen or heard from them. He had not spent this much time away from them since he had begun Hogwarts. He imagined he was in for a good telling off from both of them for not staying in touch more often.
Harry quite honestly wasn't even sure of what to tell them. The prophecy still lingered in his mind, and he knew that Hermione would be absolutely dying to know. But his talk with Remus, allowed him to speculate on the doubt that it might be him. But then, what about Neville. Certainly he had the right to know about it since it possibly could refer to him. Perhaps, he should tell them about the summer he had spent with Remus. The extra training he had done. Perhaps, he should just tell them everything. He sighed. No closer to a decision.
This summer was definitely a new experience for Harry. He actually enjoyed most of it. Well perhaps that was over stating it, but it was by far the best summer he had ever had. He felt melancholy over returning to Hogwarts. Given that he had always been excited to return to school, he felt his dismal mood deepen even further.
This was their last evening, Remus treated them to a sumptuous dinner of all of Harry's favorite things, including treacle pudding. Mikhail and Remus finished up the last of their packing. Harry had finished his this afternoon. They settled down for a last mug of hot chocolate to toast their summer together. Then finally headed off for bed.
It took a long while to get started the next morning. They were up early, but somehow they still seemed to have a great deal to do. Remus was reluctant to allow Harry to travel by the train given the security issues both from Voldemort and Dumbledore. He privately wondered whether he would be arrested on the train platform. He certainly did not need that type of scene to add to Harry's worries. Remus could feel his anxiety about returning to school rolling off Harry in waves.
As they discussed the issue of getting Harry to school, they were startled by a large crash on the front porch. Remus drew his wand and cautiously opened the door. He smiled softly as the stealthy auror, also known as Tonks, removed herself ever so delicately from the stair she had somehow managed to get her foot caught in. Her hair flushed crimson to match her embarrassed expression.
She grinned up at the doorway. "Wotcher Harry, Remus."
Remus bit in a laugh, "'Ello, Tonks. What brings you here this morning?"
She smiled mischievously. "Oh, you know, just in the neighborhood…"
Remus chuckled and spoke in a whisper loud enough for Tonks to hear, "And the staircase apparently."
"Remus." Tonks growled playfully.
"Moony." Harry said in warning, then lost his internal battle and began laughing.
Remus helped Tonks up and they all headed into the kitchen to grab a quick bite while they talked. "So, Dora what exactly are you doing here?"
She tilted her head and looked at him closely, "Well Remmy…". She then turned her attention to the matter at hand. "You see my assignment for the day is to go to Kings Cross and wait to see if Harry arrives and if he does to provide him with a bit of extra security until he gets on the train. So I figured, I'd stop by and get the heads up."
Remus winced at the nickname but said absolutely nothing. "I see. Do you have any idea what they are planning at the station?"
Tonks shrugged. "Not really. I know there will be order members galore to protect the students, but that's about …. Oh bloody hell, I ripped my favorite shirt." She finished as she looked at the three inch gash in the hem of her Weird Sisters t-shirt.
Remus nodded. "Well then, I guess we better get ready to get on our way."
Remus informed Tonks they would arrive by portkey straight onto platform nine and three quarters at exactly 10:45. She nodded and told them she'd see them soon and headed out for her post. They finished pulling all of their things together and met up in the living area. Remus pulled Harry to the side and handed him a small package, motioning for him to open it. It contained a simple chain with a golden stag charm on it. Harry smiled at the gift.
"Thanks, Moony, but what's the occasion…"
"Harry it's a portkey. It's keyed to bring you here should anything go wrong. Just close your hand over it and whisper Prongs." He paused a moment. "It just seemed appropriate, since you seemed to designate him as your protector," referencing Harry's Patronus.
"Also, I wanted to give you this back." He handed Harry the mirror Sirius had given to him. It was whole again. Remus took note of the tears glistening in Harry's eyes. "I know, Cub but I wanted you to have quick, easy access to someone should you need it. I respelled it and it took a bit of searching but I found my old one. It really was one of Sirius' better ideas. Just so you are sure, they can not be tracked, nor will anyone be able to listen in unless you key them in. I also found Peter's mirror and I want you to take that as well. Maybe give it to McGonagall, Hermione, whoever you think you may most need to talk too."
Remus looked about, trying to lighten the mood. "So, are we already to take off?"
Harry grinned and Mikhail nodded. Remus held out a strange looking rock Harry suspected was a former paperweight. "Here we go…"
Harry felt the familiar hook just behind his navel and jerked forward. His feet left the ground and he felt himself speeding forward swiftly, his finger stuck to the rock. Just as suddenly, his feet slammed into the floor on the platform. He lost his balance and staggered into Moony and promptly fell over. Harry looked up; Moony and Mikhail were still standing, and choking back their laughter.
Remus had barely helped Harry to his feet when he was knocked to the floor again in a blaze of red-headed glory. Harry gasped for breath as he toppled over again, this time with Ginny Weasley lying on top of him. "Oh Harry, we've been so worried…."
Harry was about to rise when he saw Hermione and Ron barreling towards him and thought better of it. They too enveloped him. The force knocked the wind out of him and Harry began to wonder if by the time he finished his greetings that every inch of him would be aching as though it had been beaten. Harry couldn't even make out what they were saying as they were all speaking, well shouting at once. Finally, one voice rose above all the others, "Harry Potter how dare you make us worry so. I don't know what you were thinking…"
Harry looked up sheepishly at the worried face of Molly Weasley. "Mrs. Weasley, er, I didn't, I mean, I couldn't…."
Before Harry could utter some sort of excuse he found himself encircled in Molly's arms. She whispered softly in his ear, "Don't you ever scare me like that again."
Harry smiled softly. "Yes M'am."
Harry looked around at all the people he knew and cared about and he realized that this was home. Not Hogwarts, not the Cabin, certainly not Privet Drive. These people were what was important and where he felt safe, secure, needed. He finally understood the phrase, home is where the heart is.
Harry smiled and waved goodbye to the adults, taking a moment to wish Moony a special goodbye. He chuckled softly as Ginny and Hermione lead him on the train refusing to let go of his hands, as if he might disappear if they didn't have hold of him.
